Richard "Dick" Dudley

Richard "Dick" Dudley

Wichita Falls - Richard C. "Dick" Dudley of Wichita Falls passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the age of 86. A graveside service at Crestview Cemetery will be held on Saturday, December 19 at 11:00, with the Reverend John McClarty, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, officiating.

Dick was born on June 15, 1934 in Wichita Falls to H.B. and Catherine (Andrews) Dudley. The family lived for a time in San Antonio, but moved back to Wichita Falls when he was young. Dick graduated from Wichita Falls High School in 1952. He then attended Southern Methodist University (SMU), graduating with his Bachelor's Degree in 1956.While at SMU, he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

After college, he went to work for Shell Oil Company as a Petroleum Landman. It was while he was working and living in Oklahoma City that he met Mary Jo Roebuck. They were married on May 28, 1960. They would move to Denver, Colorado and then eventually back to Dick's hometown of Wichita Falls when he went to work for Galaxy Oil Company. This is where they would live the rest of their 60 year marriage. Dick would eventually leave Galaxy and go off on his own as an Independent Petroleum Landman for the rest of his career. Dick loved Mary Jo. He couldn't wait to get home to her each evening. Much of their time together was sitting on the porch or patio of their homes. They loved traveling together, whether it was to Fort Worth to the Bass concerts, ski trips with the family to Breckenridge, Colorado, or the wine country of California. The love and attention they showed to each other was an example to other couples of how a marriage should be.

Dick had two sons, Mark and Scott, and he was devoted to them as a dad. Whether it was coaching baseball teams, going fishing, attending piano recitals, theater productions, or just sitting and spending time with them (again, on the porch/patio) talking about their day, he was always ready to do whatever he could to show his sons the love and care that he felt for them. Family was very important to Dick, and he loved not only his wife and boys, but he adored his daughter-in-law Jami and his grandchildren, Paige and Jayson. The times when Dick was the happiest were those occasions, such as Thanksgiving, when all of the family would gather together. In his words, "This is wonderful'. Dick was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, where he and Mary Jo were members of the Win-Some Class. Church was very important to him. He loved Jesus as his Saviour, and he knew it was important for his family to be in church, learning about and serving the Lord. He faithfully served as an usher, many times serving as Chairman of the Ushers. He loved his church, and he was ready to serve in any way he could. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Jean (Dudley) Finkler.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary Jo Dudley of Wichita Falls; two sons, Mark Dudley of Wichita Falls, and Scott Dudley and wife Jami of Georgetown, Texas; two grandchildren, Paige Dudley of College Station, Texas and Jayson Dudley of Georgetown, Texas. He is also survived by his sister - in - law Paula Nicholson of Nicoma Park, Oklahoma and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, whom he loved dearly.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Parkey and the staff at House of Hope for the way they cared for Dick through this past year. They have become like family, and their work with Dick will never be forgotten. Donations can be made to the Good Samaritan Fund at Presbyterian Manor/House of Hope or to First United Methodist Church in Wichita Falls. Condolences may be sent to www.lunnscolonial.com.